Golf ball retrieving club



March 19, 1968 c. D. JACOBS 3,374,027

GOLF BALL RETRIEVING CLUB Filed Sept. 24, 1964 INVENTOR CZarZes fl 1746056 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,374,027 GOLF BALL .RETRIEVING CLUB Charles D. Jacobs, 1100 S. Lakeside Drive, Lake Worth, Fla. 32566 Filed Sept. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 399,008

Claims. (Cl. 29419) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A golf ball holding cavity formed in the bottom wall of the head of a golf club. The walls of the cavity are rigid and spaced apart a distance to slightly compress a golf ball inserted therein at the diametrical mid-portion thereof, thus frictionally and releasably holding the ball in the cavity.

This invention relates to golf clubs, and more particularly to improvements in golf clubs which are adapted to retrieve a golf ball from the surface of the ground or from the cup into which it has been putted or otherwise directed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a golf ball retrieving golf club which has the appearance of a conventional golf club. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf club head with a golf ball holding cavity from which the ball may be readily released.

A further object is to provide a golf club which is adapted to be employed to retrieve a golf ball from the bottom of a cup into which it has been putted.

It is also an object to provide an integral, golf ball retrieving club head which is sturdy in construction, pleasing in appearance, and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be come more apparent from the following specification, when taken in conjuction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the head of the golf club with the shaft thereof shown in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf club of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the golf club taken on line 44 of FIG. 2 showing in phantom lines a golf ball partially enclosed in the ball retrieving cavity thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the club taken in the'direction of line 55 of FIG. 2.

The golf club shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the invention includes a generally pentagon-shaped head 1, as viewed in top plan, preferrably formed of metal, such as aluminum or steel. However, wood, plastic or other substantially rigid material may be employed to form the head, if desired. The head of the golf club is shown to be in a form which is suitable for putting golf balls although it will be obvious that the club could also be in a form designed for driving golf balls.

The head of the golf club is provided with a planar side wall 3 for striking a golf ball which extends upwardly from the bottom wall 5 of the head 1 to the top wall 7 thereof. The side wall 3 is inclined at a small angle to the vertical so that the bottom edge of the side wall is approximaely A of an inch in advance of the top edge of the wall.

The end walls 9 and 11 diverge rearwardly from the side wall 3 and are connected by the back walls 13 and 15, which converge rearwardly of the head and are blended together in the are 17 midway between the opposite end walls. The imperforate top wall 7 is curved rearwardly and downwardly of the head as at 19 from the junction of the end walls 9 and 11 and the respective back wall 13 and 15 to the are 17.

The lower end 21 of the shaft 23 of the club is preferably formed of metal and is rigidly secured to the top wall 7 as by welding, brazing or the like, shown at 25. The shaft 23 extends upwardly from the head 1 for a suitable distance and at an appropriate angle for the maximum convenience of a golfer. The head 1 is suitable weighted by filling the parallel bores 27 and 29, which extend into the head from the back walls 13 and 15, respectively, with lead 31.

An oval or eliptical-shaped cavity 33 is formed in the head 1 for retrieving a golf ball from the surface of the ground or from the bottom of a golf cup. The cavity 33 extends upwardly into the head 1 from the bottom wall 5 thereof for a distance which is substantially as great as, and preferably approximately W of an inch greater than the radius of a golf ball to be held in the cavity. The side walls 35 of the cavity extend upwardly from the entrance of the cavity and converge inwardly at a small angle to provide approximately $6 of an inch taper to the walls in a vertical distance of /2 of an inch. The inner end wall 37 of the cavity 33 is joined to the side walls 35 by the curved walls 39.

The opposite sides 41 and 43 of the cavity 33 midway between the opposite ends 45 and 47 thereof, are formed with planar, golf ball holding, wall portions 49 and 51. The distance between the planar wall portions 49 and 51 at the entrance of the cavity 33 is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be held in the cavity; However, the distance between the planar portions 49 and 51 at the entrance of the cavity may vary from a few thousands of an inch greater to a few thousands of an inch smaller than the diameter of the golf ball without affecting the mode of operation. Since the cavity is slightly deeper than the radius of a golf ball and since the side walls of the planar portions converge from the entrance of the cavity inwardly thereof, a golf ball inserted into the cavity will be compressed slightly and become wedged between the converging planar portions 49 and 51 and frictionally retained in the cavity.

The side walls of the cavity 33 on each side of the golf ball holding walls 49 and 51 are substantially semi-cylindrical and the entrance to the semi-cylindrical portions is formed to have a radius substantially equal to that of a golf ball. A golf ball inserted into the cavity at either of the semi-cylindrical end portions will automatically move a short distance out of the open side of the semi-cylindrical portion due to the configuration of the cavity and will be frictionally gripped at the diametrical midportion thereof between the walls 49 and 51. While the semicylindrical ends assist in guiding a golf ball to a position between the walls 49 and 51, they provide non-holding golf ball portions.

The head 1 of the golf club is elongated in the direction of the length of the elliptical cavity and the greatest dimension across the head 1 in a direction normal to the vertical axis 53 of the cavity 33 is less than the diameter of a standard golf cup from which a golf ball is to be retrieved.

The golf club is employed by placing the head 1 over a golf ball which is lying on the ground or which is resting in the bottom of a golf cup with the cavity in vertical alignment with the ball and then moving the head 1 downwardly to enclose substantially the upper half of the golf ball in the cavity between the golf ball holding, planar, side wall portions 49 and 51. The ball will be engaged at substantially the diametrical midportion there of by the cavity walls 49 and 51 and will be frictionally retained in the cavity for retrieving the ball without requiring the golfer to bend or stoop over. The golf ball may be quickly and easily removed from the cavity by rotating it in such a manner as to roll the ball from the holding portion of the cavity to the non-holding portion thereof. The ball will be released from the cavity as it rolls from the ball-holding portion to the non-holding portion.

While the preferred form of the invention is illustrated by way of example, such modifications and changes as would occur to those skilled in the art are to be considered within the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A golf'ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball retrieving cavity formed therein, said cavity extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for enclosing substantially one-half of a golf ball and holding it therein; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball, the walls of said cavity bring entirely rigid and extending upwardly into said head from said bottom wall a distance at least substantially equal to the radius of said golf ball said cavity being of sufficient size to receive therein at least substantially one-half of said golf ball, the shortest diametrical distance across the entrance to said cavity being substantially equal to the diameter of said golf ball, whereby insertion of substantially one-half of said golf ball into said cavity results in said ball being engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls of said cavity and frictionally and removably retained therein.

2. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a cavity formed therein for enclosing substantially one-half of a golf ball and holding it therein, said head having an inperforate top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall for stroking a golf ball; the walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into said head from said bottom wall a distance at least substantially equal to the radius of said golf ball, said cavity being of sufiicient size to receive therein at least substantially one-half of said golf ball, the shortest diametrical distance across the entrance to said cavity being from a few thousands of an inch less than the diameter of said golf ball to a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said ball, whereby insertion of substantially one-half of said golf ball into said cavity results in said ball being engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls of said cavity and frictionally and removably retained therein.

3. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a cavity formed therein for enclosing substantially one-half of a golf ball and holding it therein; said head having a bottom wall and a side wall for stroking a golf ball, and the walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into said head from said bottom wall a distance at least substantially equal to the radius of said golf ball, said cavity being of sufficient size to receive therein at least substantially one-half of said golf ball, the distance across the entrance to said cavity in one direction being substantially equal to the diameter of said golf ball and providing a golf ball holding portion, the distance across the entrance of the cavity in a direction normal to said one direction being greater than the diameter of said golf ball, whereby insertion of substantially one-half of said golf ball into said cavity results in said ball being engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls of said cavity forming said golf ball holding portion and frictionally and removably retained therein.

4. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball receiving cavity formed therein, the Walls of said cavity being entirely rigid extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially oval in configuration and having a diameter intermediate the opposite ends thereof that is substantially equal to the diameter of the golf ball to be received therein providing a golf ball holding portion, said cavity being of a size and depth sufficient to receive therein at least one-half of said golf ball, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be frictionally engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the rigid opposed walls forming said ball holding portion and removably retained therein.

5. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball receiving cavity formed therein,

the walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially elliptical in configuration and having a diameter intermediate the opposite ends thereof that is substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be received therein providing a golf ball holding portion, said walls forming the entrance to said cavity on at least one side of said ball holding portion providing a non-holding golf ball Portion, said cavity being of a size and depth sufficient to receive therein at least one-half of said golf ball, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls forming said ball holding portion and frictionally retained therein, rotation of said ball in such a manner as to roll it from said holding portion to said non-holding portion resulting in the release of said golf ball from said cavity.

6. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball receiving cavity formed therein, the Walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially elliptical in configuration and with the opposite sides of said entrance midway between the opposite ends thereof being parallel for a short distance, the distance between said parallel sides being substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be received therein, said parallel sides providing between them a golf ball holding portion, the walls forming said cavity which are disposed at each side of said parallel sides providing non-holding golf ball portions, said cavity being of a size and depth suflicient to receive therein at least one-half of said golf ball, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls forming said ball holding portion and frictionally retained therein.

7. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head. having -a golf ball receiving cavity formed therein, the walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially elliptical in configuration and with the opposite sides of said entrance midway between the opposite ends thereof being parallel for a short distance, the distance between said parallel sides being substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be received therein, the sidewalls of said cavity extending from said parallel sides upwardly into said head being planar and converging at a relatively small angle from said entrance upwardly into said cavity pro viding between them a golf ball holding portion, the walls form-ing said cavity which are disposed on each side of said parallel sides providing non-holding golf ball portions, said cavity being of a size and depth sufiioient to receive therein slightly more than one-hial f of said golf ball, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be engaged and slightly compress-ed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls forming said ball holding portion and frictionally retained therein.

8. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball receiving ca'vity formed therein, the walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially elliptical in configuration and with the opposite sides of said entrance midway between the opposite ends thereof being parallel for a short distance, the distance between said parallel sides being substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be received therein, the side walls of said cavity extending from said parallel sides upwardly into said head converging at a relatively small angle from said entrance upwardly into said cavity providing between them a golf ball holding portion, the walls forming said cavity which are disposed on each side of said parallel sides providing non-holding golf ball port-ions, said cavity being of a size and depth suificient to receive therein substantially one-half of said golf ball, the lower surface of said head at the entrance of said cavity lying in a horizontal plane, the opposite ends of said lower surface, at each end of said entrance, extending upwardly at 'an acute angle to said plane and outwardly from said cavity to the respective end of said head, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls forming said ball holding portion and frictionally retained therein.

9. A golf ball retrieving putter, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball receiving cavity formed therein, the

Walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf ball; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially elliptical in configuration and with the opposite sides of said entrance midway between the opposite ends thereof being parallel for a short distance, the distance between said parallel slides being substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be received therein, the side walls of said cavity extending from said parallel sides upwardly into said head converging at a relatively small angle from said entrance upwardly into said cavity providing between them a golf ball holding portion, the walls forming said cavity which are disposed on each side of said parallel sides providing nonhold-ing golf ball portions, said cavity being of a size and depth sufiicient to receive therein at least onehalf of said golf ball, said head being elongated in the direction of the length of said elliptical cavity, the greatest dimension across said head is a direction normal to the vertical axis of said cavity being less than the diameter of a standard golf cup into which a .golf ball is to be putted, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball confined in said cup with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls forming said ball holding portion and frictionally retained therein.

10. A golf ball retrieving club, comprising: a rigid head having a golf ball receiving cavity formed therein, the walls of said cavity being entirely rigid and extending upwardly into the interior of said head from the bottom wall thereof for retrieving a golf ball; a side wall on said head for striking a golf hail; the opening in said bottom wall forming the entrance of said cavity being substantially elliptical in configuration and having a diameter intermediate the opposite ends thereof that is substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball to be received therein, the side walls of said cavity extending from said entrance upwardly into said 'head converging at a very small angle from said entrance inwardly of said cavity, the side walls of said cavity intermediate the opposite ends thereof providing therebetween a golf ball holding portion of said cavity, the walls of said cavity on each side of said ball holding portion providing a non-holding golf ball portion, said cavity being of a size and depth sufiicient to receive therein at least one-half of said golf ball, whereby by placing said golf club over said golf ball with said cavity in alignment with said ball and moving said head downward to enclose substantially the upper half of said ball in said cavity, said ball will be engaged and slightly compressed at substantially the diametrical midportion thereof by the walls forming said ball holding portion and frictionally retained therein, rotation of said ball in such a manner as to roll it from said holding portion to one of said non'holding portions resulting in the release of said golf ball from said cavity.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,722,519 7/ 1929 'Du Chene 273162 1,960,110 5/1934 Iles 273-162 3,191,936 6/1965 Guier 273-171 X 3,265,430 8/1966 Jenkins 29419 3,300,241 1/ 1967 Eberwein et al 273-162 X ANTON O. OEOHS'LE, Primary Examiner. F. BARRY SHAY, Examiner.

R. J. APLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

